Santa Shoeboxes give children joy

Gallery Video

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Santa Shoebox is an annual charity drive that helps bring the joy of the festive season to underprivileged children across South Africa and Namibia by encouraging members of the public to pledge a gift-filled shoebox.

This year the Bayside Centre in Mossel Bay took part in this special initiative and brightened the lives of 28 local children.

On 2 December at 11:00, 28 exited children arrived at the venue in the Bayside centre and were treated to pizza, sweets, cooldrinks, popcorn, and candy floss as well as cupcakes and a variety of other treats.

After the treats they played games, before standing at the window, calling for Santa. And then the big moment came. Santa arrived just after 12:00 in a helicopter, landed in the parking area and joined the party. Each of the 28 children received a Christmas shoebox.

Photo gallery: Santa Shoebox brings joy

"We were overwhelmed by the response from the community and tenants alike and are thrilled for the Christmas party happening, at the centre, celebrating these wonderful children," says Roline de Bruyn of the Santa Shoebox project. De Bruyn said this year had taken some interesting turns and with the arrival of Covid-19, "conventional" flew out the window. "What could be better than to have Santa arrive in an unconventional manner, courtesy of Kobus Crous from Mossel Bay Helicopters," said De Bruyn.

"The children were so excited about Santa's helicopter landing in the parking area and to see the smiles on those little faces and the bright sparkle in their eyes makes any heart soft." With the Lions club, the Santa Shoebox volunteers, all the sponsors and staff at the Bayside Centre, the day was made unforgettable for the children.

Watch a video below:

The Santa Shoebox Project originated in Cape Town in 2006 with a humble 180 shoeboxes. In the 14 years it has grown with the number of Santa Shoeboxes donated reaching more than one million.

The shoeboxes are distributed to more than 1 000 recipient facilities each year, through more than 60 satellites branches in South Africa and Namibia.

Donors give gifts of essential items and treats to children whose names are on the boxes. The minimum eight required items are a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a washing cloth, sweets, a toy, school supplies and an outfit of clothing – all new, unused and age-appropriate.

Santa greets the children who waited patiently for his arrival. Photo: Jannie du Plessis